Treadle scooter



G. KRASNOFF ETAL Oct. 31, 1961 TREADLE SCOOTER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 27, 1960 OC- 31, 1961 G. KRASNOFF ET AL 3,006,659

TREADLE SCOOTER Filed 0G12. 27, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 ATTP/VZY Oct. 31, 1961 G. KRASNOFF ETAL 3,006,659

TREADLE SCOOTER Filed Oct. 27, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTRS zlber'f H'rasrao ,4mm/EY United States Patent G 3,006,659 TREADLE SCOOTER Gilbert Krasrxoif, 251--09 Thornhill Ave., Little Neck,

N.Y., and William Krasnoif, 295 Clinton Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y.

Filed Oct. 27, 1960, Ser. No. 65,376 4 Claims. (Cl. 280-221) This invention relates to velocipedes and more particularly to a foot-propelled vehicle of the treadle scooter type.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a two-wheeled vehicle with a foot treadle actuated propelling mechanism for driving `the vehicle in one direction.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for adjusting the speed of the vehicle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a footpropelled vehicle of the treadle scooter type that is simple in construction, cheap to manufacture, easily and conveniently manipulated and very eicient in operation.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are mort particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. l is a side elevational view of a scooter embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the rear end of the scooter, parts being omitted.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of the braking mechanism. Y

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational Vview of the scooter, showing the treadle in uppermost normal position in full lines and in lowermost moved position in dot-dash lines, parts being omitted and parts being broken away.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of FIG. 2 on a larger scale.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the lever of the propelling mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 8 8 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9 9 of FIG. l on an enlarged scale.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. ll is an enlarged disassembled perspective View of the mechanism for limiting downward movement of the treadle.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of the mechanism for limiting the downward movement of the treadle.

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 6 with parts being broken away to show the internal construction.

Referring in detail to the drawings, in FIG. 1 there is shown a scooter made in `accordance with the invention and designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The scooter 10 is of the treadle actuated type and comprises an elongated tubular frame 12 composed of a pair of spaced metal tubular side members 14 and 16 curved upwardly and forwardly at the front of the vehicle as indicated at 18 and 20, respectively, and converging toward each other and merging with an upright tubular stem 22. A short intermediate tubular member 24 has one end secured to a strap 26 extending across the space between the side members 14 and 16 and secured at its ends to said members. 'Ihe tubular member 24 curves 3,006,659 Patented Oct. 31, 1961 ICC upwardly above the curved ends 18 and 20 of the side members 14 and 16 and has its other end secured to the top end of the tubular stem 22.

A shaft 28 extends loosely through the stem 22 and is rotatably supported thereby and extends thereabove and therebelow. The bottom end of the shaft 28 is formed with a forked structure 30. An axle 32 is supported across the space between the ends of the prongs of the forked structure and rollably mounted on the axle 32 between the prongs of the forked structure there is a front Wheel 34. Au arcuate-shaped mud guard 36 is supported over the front wheel on rods 38 extending rearwardly from the ends of the prongs of the forked structure.

An axle 40 is supported across the space between the rear ends of the side members 14 and 16 and rollably mounted on said axle 40 is a rear Wheel 42. A U-shaped rear guard 44 is pivotally mounted on a Hat extension 46 on the rear end of the side member 14 and on a iiat extension 48 on the rear end of the side member 16.

In accordance with the invention, treadle propelling mechanism for the scooter is mounted on one side of the frame, on the side frame member 16. This mechanism includes a sleeve 50 sleeved around each side member 14 aud 16 midway the ends thereof. The sleeves are formed with an integral tubular member 52 extending across the space therebetween. An axle 54 extends through the tube member 52 with its ends projecting beyond the ends of the tubular member 52. A bail or U-shaped plate 56 has the perforated ends of its legs 57 mounted on the projecting ends of the axle 54 and are secured thereon by cotter pins 58. The U-shaped pl-ate 56 is thus pivotally mounted on the side members 14 and 16.

A flat rectangular-shaped plate of wood or other suitable material constituting a treadle 60 has one end supported on the bight portion 62 of the bail or U-shaped plate 56 Iand is secured thereon by bolt and nut assemblies 64. The treadle 60 is covered by a sheet of corrugated rubber 66 or the like to provide a nonslipping surface. The cover sheet is fastened to the treadle 60 by means of bolt and nut assemblies 68.

An elongated curved lever arm 72 having an L-shaped body in cross section has one end fastened over the top of the rear end of the treadle 60 by means of bolt and nut assemblies 74. A perforated extension 76 is formed on this end of the lever arm and is fastened to the bail or U-shaped plate 56 below the treadle 60. The other end of the lever arm terminates in a channel-shaped extremity 78 across which is supported a pivot pin 80. An elongated rack bar 82 has one end pivoted to the pin 80. The rack bar 82 extends over and has its teeth 84 meshing with a pinion 86, loosely mounted on the axle 40 adjacent its reduced threaded end 88. The pinion 86 is adapted to be connected to the rear wheel 42 by a clutch mechanism hereinafter to be described. A anged roller 87 `supported on a bracket 90 on the extension 48 of side tubular member 16 is supported above the rack bar 82 with the bar movable between the iianges thereof whereby the bar is guided in its movement and its teeth held in mesh with the pinion 86.

The rear wheel 42 is provided with a hub portion 94 which hub portion is formed with an enlargement 98 supporting clutch mechanism for connecting pinion 86 to rear wheel 42. The clutch mechanism is in the form of a ring 100 formed on its inner face or periphery with internal ratchet teeth 102, extending circumferentially therein. Pinion 86 is formed with a hub or sleeve portion 103 having an end annular flange 105 concentric with the ring 100. A pawl 104 mounted on ange 105 engages in one direction the internal ratchet teeth 102, the pawl sliding over the teeth during a movement in the reverse direction. A curved spring 108 on flange 105 urges the pawl into engagement with the teeth. The axle end 88 extends through an opening in the extension 48 of thel side Vtubular member 16 for receiving a nut 109 on the outer end thereof. Y Y Y The engagement of the pawl 104 with the ratchet teeth 102 is such that the operation of the treadle 60 will propel the scooter by the rotation of the rear wheel 42 on rear shaft 40 in its connection in the rear end of the frame.

A handle bar 110 with handles 112 is suitably secured to the top end of the steering shaft 28, and supported on the steering shaft by means of brackets 114 mounted on the shaft andV extending forwardly thereof is an elongated longitudinally curved windguard 116, the guard extending above the handle bar to afford protection for the rider. Y f

A mud guard 118 is supported on wire rods 120 fas- Ytened at their ends to the at extension of the side tubular member 16, the mud guard extending over the upper half of the periphery of the rear wheel 42.

Braking mechanism is supported onrthe inner end of the mudguard 118. This braking mechanism includes a curved plate 122 mounted on the outside of the mudguard with one end fastened to the mudguard adjacent said end by means of a pivot bolt and nut assembly 124. Another curved plate 126 is mounted on the inside of the mudguard opposite the curved plate 122 and has one end Yfastened to the mudguard by means of the bolt and nut assembly 124. The bolt and nut assembly 124 extends through an opening in the center of an elongated Y reinforcing plate 125 extending across the mudguard and joining the side frames 14 and 16. The other free end of the plate 126 carries a curved brake shoe 128. A stem 130 extends through aligned openings in the mudguard and Vplates 122 and 126 with one end secured to the free end of the inner curved plate 126 and with a head on its other end outside the outer curved plate 122 whereby Y around the stem 130 between the outer curved plate 122 and the mudguard 118.

An air pump 134 is removably supported ou the intermediate tubular member 24 by means of a spring clip 136 on said member 24.

In operation, assuming that therparts of the scooter are in the position shown in FIG. 4, downward movement ofthe treadle 60 by the operators foot swings the U-shaped plate 56, lever 72 and associated parts in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4 thereby pulling the ratchet bar 82 forwardly of the scooter or to the right as viewed in FIG. 4 over the pinion 86 causing turning of the pinion which in turn rotates the ring 100 and rear wheel 42 mounted on shaft 40 in a clockwise or forward direction. Upon release of the pressure on the treadle 60, however, the Weight of the U-shaped plate 56, lever 72 and associated parts to the left of the pivot shaft54 as seen in FIG. 4 causes the U-shaped plate and lever to swing to the left or counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 4 thereby forcing the ratchet bar S2 over the pinion 86 to the left to normal position. Immediately upon release of the pressure on the treadle 60, the spring 108 forces the pawl 104 into engagement with one of the teeth 102 thereby preventing turning of the wheel and permitting the treadle, lever and ratchet bar V-to return to normal positions.

The treadle 60 is adapted to be actuated by the operators foot from an upper limited position indicated by the treadle in full lines in FIG. l to a lower limiting position indicated by the treadle in dot-dash lines in FIG. 1.

The upper limiting position of the treadle is determined by the bail or U-srhaped plate 56 striking against the tubular side members 14 and 16. The bottom limiting `position of the treadle-is determined by means carried by 4 the treadle striking against the intermediate tubular member 24.

An important feature of the present invention is means for controlling the length of the stroke or swing of the treadle 60 whereby the speed is controlled thereby making the scooter readily available'to children of all sizes and ages. For this purpose and as best seen in FIGS. 9 to l2, inclusive, a metal U-shaped plate 140 is slidably mounted on the bottom surface of the treadle 60 by means of straps 142, the straps being fastened to the treadle by means of screws 144. The legs 146 of the plate extend upwardly and are Vof aV length to extend above the top surface of the treadle 60 as best seen in FIG. 10. Carried on the bottom surface of the U-shaped plate V there are two shock'absorbing studs 148 and spaced from each other and serving as stops. The stop 148 is longer than the stop 150. The stops may be Vformed of rubber or any other suitable material and each has a cylindrical solid body with flat bottom fastened to the plate 140 in any suitable manner and with a dished top surface 152 conforming to the curvature of the intermediate tubular Vmember 24.

IVnen the V*scooter is being used by older children, it is desirable to give the treadle 60 a longer throw so that a longer area of the ratchet bar 82 will traverse the pinion 86 thereby providing greater speed. On the contrary, if smaller children are riding the scooter, a smaller throw of the treadle is preferable. This adjustment of the throw of the treadle is accomplished by sliding the plate 140 across the treadle 60 by merely engaging one of the legs 146 of the plate with the operators foot and moving the plate sidewise to bring either the long stop 148 or the short stop 150 into contact with the intermediate tubular member 24. When either stop is not in operative position, it is positioned between the intermediate tubular member 24 and the adjacent tubular side member 14 or 16 as shown in FIG. 10.

The braking mechanism is actuated by merely pressing the outer curved plate 122 with the foot to force the braking shoe 128 against the periphery of the rear wheel 42 against the action of spring 132.

While we have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of our invention, itis to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to the precise construction herein disclosed and that various ,changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined Vin the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure byUnited States Letters Patent 1. A treadle-operated scooter comprising a frame composed of two spaced side frame members, Ka rear axle supported across the rear ends of the side frame members, a wheel rotatably mounted on the rear axle, a wheel rotatably mounted on the frame at the front thereof, a treadle pivotally mounted on the side frame members intermediate their ends, ka pinion loosely mounted on one end of the rear axle, a rack bar pivotally connected at one end to the treadleV in mesh with the pinion and actuated by movement of the treadle, said rear Wheel having a hub portion and clutch mechanism associated with said hub portion including a hub portion on the pinion, an annular flange Von the free end of the hub portion of the pinion, a `ring mounted in the hub portion of the rear wheel, teeth on the inner periphery of the ring, a spring pressed pawl mounted on the flange of the hub portion of theY pinion normally contacting the teeth on the ring when the pinion is turning in one direction and sliding over said teeth when the pinion is turning in the reverse direction whereby movement of the pinion is transmitted to the rear wheel, the pivotal mounting of the treadle consisting of a sleeve around each side frame member in opposed relation, a tubular member supported across the space between the sleeves, a shaft extending through said tubular member and, projecting outwardly thereof. a bail V.member pivotally mounted on the projecting ends of the latter shaft, said treadle mounted on and fastened to said bail member.

2. A treadle-operated scooter comprising a frame composed of two spaced side frame members, a rear axle supported across the rear ends of the side frame members, a Wheel rotatably mounted on the rear axle, a Wheel rotatably mounted on the frame at the front thereof, a treadle pivotally mounted on the side frame members intermediate their ends, a pinion loosely mounted on one end of the rear axle, a rack bar pivotally connected at one end to the treadle in mesh with the pinion and actuated by movement of the treadle, clutch mechanism for connecting the pinion and the rear wheel whereby movemeut of the treadle is transmitted to the rear wheel, and means for adjusting the length of the throw of the treadle including movable spaced stops depending from the treadle adapted to selectively engage a portion of the frame and means for moving said stops.

3. A treadle-operated scooter comprising a frame composed of two spaced side frame members, a rear axle supported across the rear ends of the side frame members, a wheel rotatably mounted on the rear axle, a wheel rotatably mounted on the frame at the front thereof, a treadle pivotally mounted on the side frame members intermediate their ends, a pinion loosely mounted on one end of the rear axle, a rack bar pivotally connected at one end to the treadle in mesh with the pinion and actuated by movement of the treadle, clutch mechanism for connecting the pinion and the rear wheel whereby movement of the treadle is transmitted to the rear wheel, and means for adjusting the length of the throw of the treadle including a plate slidable across the bottom of the treadle at its free end, a pair of spaced stops mounted on and depending from the treadle, and means adapted to be engaged and actuated by the foot of the operator of the scooter for sliding said plate.

4. A treadle-operated scooter comprising a frame composed of two spaced side frame members, a rear axle supported across the rear ends of the side frame members, a wheel rotatably mounted on the rear axle, a wheel rotatably mounted on the frame at the front thereof, a treadle pivotally mounted on the side frame members intermediate their ends, a pinion 4loosely mounted on one end of the rear axle, a rack bar pivotally connected at one end to the treadle in mesh With the pinion and actuated by movement of the treadle, clutch mechanism for connecting the pinion and the rear wheel whereby movement of the treadle is transmitted to the rear wheel, and means for adjusting the length of the throw of the treadle including a plate slida-ble across the bottom of the treadle at its free end, a pair of spaced stops mounted on and depending from the treadle, and means ladapted to be engaged and actuated by the foot of the operator of the scooter for sliding said plate, said latter means including flanges on the ends of the plate extending above the treadle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,118,640 Bergen May 24, 1938 2,723,131 McChesney Nov. 8, 1955 2,738,981 Redeker et al. Mar. 20, 1956 

